Perceptions of Psychological and Physical Aggression Between Heterosexual Partners

Georgina S Hammock, Deborah Ruth Richardson, Celeste Williams, Adrian S. Janit

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present research examines the impact of type of aggression (physical/ psychological) and type of dyad (male aggressor/ female victim and female aggressor/ male victim) on perceptions of a conflict scenario and its combatants. Participants read scenarios depicting a conflict between a married heterosexual couple and reported their impressions of the aggressiveness of the encounter and of the aggressor and victim. Physical aggression was evaluated more negatively (both in terms of the encounter and its combatants) than psychological aggression. Male to female violence was judged more harshly (both in terms of the aggressiveness of the encounter and impressions of the combatants) than female to male violence. Study 2 extended Study 1, assessing the relationship of experience with physical and psychological aggression on perceptions. The results from Study 1 were replicated. Contrary to predictions, experience with physical and psychological aggression did not consistently relate to perceptions of these types of aggression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13-26
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Family Violence
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Experience with aggression
  • Gender
  • Gender stereotypes
  • Intimate partner violence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Law

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